[First indorsement.] HDQRS. 1ST BRIG., 1ST CAV. DIV., DEPT. OF W. Va., May 31, 1864. Respectfully forwarded for the information of the major-general commanding division. ANDW. T. McREYNOLDS, Colonel First New York Cavalry, Commanding. [Second indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, Near New Market, Va., May 31, 1864. Respectfully forwarded for the information of the commanding general of the department. Attention invited to inclosed report* of Colonel McReynolds, commanding First Brigade. JUL. STAHEL, Major-General. [Third indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA, July 1, 1864. Respectfully returned to Maj. Gen. Julius Stahel, who will exercise his discretion as to increasing the picket force beyond New Market. By command of General Hunter: CHAS. G. HALPINE, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Inclosure.] HDQRS. 1ST BRIG., 1ST CAV. DIV., DEPT. OF W. Va., Lieut. A. H. NASH, Acting Assistant Provost-Marshal-General : LIEUTENANT: You will proceed at once to New Market and make a thorough investigation of the capture of a sergeant and twelve men of the First New York Veteran Cavalry between the hours of 1 and 3 this a. m., while on picket on the Luray pike, near New Market, and report in writing to these headquarters. By order of. Col. A. T. McReynolds : E. C. WATKINS, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. 1ST BRIG., 2D CAV. DIV., DEPT. of W. Va., Capt. WILL RUMSEY, Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Cavalry Division: SIR: In compliance with General Orders, No. 8, headquarters Second Cavalry Division, Department of West Virginia, I have the honor to submit the following report of my brigade: Arms: The general condition is good; many, however, are unserviceable, through being bent and bruised on the march. Ammunition: The ammunition on hand is in good condition. * Not found. The Second Virginia Cavalry is without ammunition. This fact has been reported for about two weeks, and no supplies have been obtained. In case this regiment cannot be immediately supplied with ammunition, I must report unfit for field service. The Thirty-fourth Ohio Mounted Infantry is fully supplied. Equipments: These are generally in bad condition, having been exposed to the inclement weather and having been badly damaged on the march. No opportunity has been afforded to repair them or to grease them. Horses: The horses of this brigade, having been fed almost entirely upon grass for about one month, although presenting a good appearance, are in poor condition for active service. In my opinion, not more than two-thirds of them would stand a march of twenty miles a day. I would here add that this bad condition of my command does not come from the neglect of the officers of this brigade, but is owing to the lack of proper supplies. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, MARTINSBURG, W. VA., May 31, 1864. ADJUTANT-GENERAL U. S. ARMY: In obedience to orders, signed by Colonel Kelton, I have the honor to report the following troops on and in the vicinity of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad : Infantry: From the Monocacy River to Harper's Ferry, at Kearneysville and Duffield's, First Maryland Potomac Home Brigade; at Harper's Ferry, One hundred and forty-eighth Ohio National Guard; at Martinsburg and from Martinsburg to North Mountain, One hundred and thirty-fifth Ohio National Guard; at Martinsburg, One hundred and fifty-fifth Ohio National Guard, One hundred and sixty-first Ohio National Guard, and One hundred and fifty-second Ohio National Guard; at Paw Paw, One hundred and fifty-third Ohio National Guard; at Cumberland, One hundred and thirtyfourth Ohio National Guard; at New Creek, detachment Twentythird Illinois Volunteers, One hundred and thirty-third Ohio National Guard, and One hundred and fifty-fourth Ohio National Guard; at Grafton and on railroad, Sixth West Virginia Infantry; at Beverly, Tenth West Virginia Infantry; at Greenland Gap, Second Maryland Potomac Home Brigade; at Parkersburg, Eleventh West Virginia. Cavalry: From Sleepy Creek to Harper's Ferry, Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, partly dismounted; at Harper's Ferry, detachment Sixth West Virginia; at Martinsburg, detachment Fourteenth Pennsylvania; at Green Spring Run, detachment Twenty-second Pennsylvania; at Cumberland, Third Independent Company Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; at New Creek, Company C, Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry; at Beverly, detachment Twenty-first New York, mounted, and detachment Sixth West Virginia, dismounted; at Buckhannon, Company A, First West Virginia. Artillery At Harper's Ferry, Fifth New York Heavy Artillery and Battery D, First Pennsylvania; at Maryland Heights, Battery A, First Virginia and Seventeenth Indiana Battery; at Martinsburg, Thirty-second New York Battery; at Cumberland, Battery E, First Virginia; at New Creek, Battery L, First Illinois and Battery H, First Virginia; at Clarksburg, Battery F, First Virginia; at Beverly and Webster, Battery B, First Virginia. Battery B, First Virginia Artillery, has been ordered by the department commander to this place, one section to be prepared for the field as horse artillery, and Battery D, First Pennsylvania Artillery, at Harper's Ferry, ordered to be in readiness for active service. F. SIGEL, HEADQUARTERS RESERVE DIVISION, Lieutenant-Colonel HALPINE, Assistant Adjutant-General: COLONEL: The commander of the post on yesterday morning sent the detachment of the Fifteenth New York Cavalry, numbering about 120 men, as escort to a train of sixteen wagons with medical and subsistence stores, the latter for the battalion of the Fifth New York Artillery. To-day the detachment returned, having been attacked at Newtown in the rear by a force which took from them the train and drove our cavalry toward Middletown, until they met the One hundred and sixtieth Ohio, coming from the front as escort to a wagon train. Of the sixteen wagons, the rebels burned twelve, taking with them four loaded with subsistence stores. There are now four regiments of infantry here, Ohio National Guard, which will greatly facilitate the sending of supplies should any be needed. As I hear orders have been given by department headquarters that no subsistence stores shall be sent forward, I have taken no steps to fit out a train, but this will be done immediately on receipt of the order. The detachment now going consists of 290 Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 100 Fifteenth New York Cavalry, 150 Fourth Virginia Infantry, and 60 men Fifth New York Artillery. They escort ten wagons loaded with supplies for the Fifth New York Artillery. I will organize a movable column of infantry and cavalry to scout the country thoroughly between the Shenandoah and North Mountain and occupy Smithfield. Please inform me, if you think proper, by cipher letter, what is wanted, so that I can make the necessary arrangements. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CUMBERLAND, May 31, 1864-8 p. m. Major MEYSENBURG, Assistant Adjutant-General, Martinsburg: The Second Maryland Potomac Home Brigade Regiment passed here this evening for Martinsburg. B. F. KELLEY, HEADQUARTERS, Col. W. P. MAULSBY, Harper's Ferry, May 31, 1864. Commanding Post, Martinsburg: Why do you remove your cavalry pickets from the front of Martinsburg, so they cannot connect with our pickets via Halltown? Answer immediately. By order of Brig. Gen. Max Weber: S. F. ADAMS, Lieut. S. F. ADAMS, Aide-de-Camp: MARTINSBURG, May 31, 1864. Our cavalry pickets have been withdrawn and infantry substituted to enable the cavalry to do scouting and other active duty in front of the lines. There are but 108 cavalry here. Major-General Sigel thinks that 300 cavalry ought to be on duty here under a first-rate officer, and a system arranged of complete co-operation between the cavalry on the front from here to Harper's Ferry. Whatever General Weber can do to effect this will be thankfully received. If he can send 50, 100, or 200 good cavalry here, shall be most thankful. On Sunday evening a train from this to my front was attacked and captured at Newtown; wagons destroyed, supplies captured, several officers and men captured. The rebels, 200 to 400 strong, are between this and Bunker Hill, and we have no force to send after them. WM. P. MAULSBY, Colonel HIGGINS, Green Spring: Colonel, CUMBERLAND, May 31, 1864-10 a. m. Send Captain Hart with 100 men to Moorefield, with orders to scout that neighborhood thoroughly. Let him take a wagon and take ten days' rations of hard bread, sugar, coffee, and salt, and depend on the country for forage and cattle. I have already sent a scout from here to Petersburg, with orders to go to mouth of Seneca and Franklin; therefore, Captain Hart will watch the country toward Brock's Gap and Wardensville. Colonel WILKINSON, New Creek: B. F. KELLEY, CUMBERLAND, May 31, 1864-12 m. Order a scout of twenty-five or thirty men from the company at Piedmont to go to Wilson's Mill, on the North Branch, and scout that neighborhood thoroughly. Send some one as guide, if possible; direct them to take three days' rations. B. F. KELLEY, CUMBERLAND, May 31, 1864-4 p. m. Colonel WILKINSON, New Creek: Send fifteen or twenty mounted men to the junction of the Moorefield and Alleghany pike with Northwestern pike, with orders to watch the route out by Nevill's house, the way McNeill went out. B. F. KELLEY, Brigadier-General. CUMBERLAND, May 31, 1864-4 p. m. Colonel WILKINSON, New Creek: Send a force and hold Doll's Gap; also scout all the roads. Send messenger at once to Greenland Gap with orders to watch every possible way for the devils to get out. Don't let one of them escape. B. F. KELLEY, Brigadier-General. Brigadier-General KELLEY, Cumberland: BEVERLY, May 31, 1864. Forces left Valley as reported; two battalions Eighteenth Cavalry, Mosby's guerrillas and four pieces of artillery left behind. Imboden in command. Has ordered out all the militia of that region to supply place of forces sent to Lee. T. M. HARRIS, Abstract from return of the Department of Washington, Maj. Gen. Christopher C. Augur, U. S. Army, commanding, for the month of May, 1864. |